Thrombolytics in pulmonary embolism

OBJECTIVES: Decision-making around the use of thrombolysis for patients with intermediate-risk (submassive) PE remains challenging. Studies indicate favorable clinical outcomes with systemic thrombolytics (IV tPA), but the risk of major bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke is a deterrent. Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) may be a preferable strategy, as it has been shown to have a lower risk of bleeding than systemic thrombolysis. However, a three-arm randomized control study comparing IV tPA, CDT, and anticoagulation alone, with long-term follow up, would be costly and is unlikely to be performed...

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of acute cardiovascular mortality and long-term morbidity. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is the key determinant of prognosis in the acute phase of PE, and residual RV dysfunction is associated with the development of post-PE functional impairment, chronic thromboembolic disease, and higher costs of treatment over the long term. Patients with clinically overt RV failure, i.e. hemodynamic collapse at presentation (high-risk PE), necessitate immediate thrombolytic treatment to relieve the obstruction in the pulmonary circulation; surgical or catheter-directed removal of the thrombus can be an alternative option...

BACKGROUND: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk index (TRI) was recently evaluated in patients with acute myocardial infarction and found as an important prognostic index. In the current study, we evaluated the prognostic value of TRI in patients with moderate-high and high risk pulmonary embolism (PE) who were treated with thrombolytic agents. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the in-hospital and long-term (4-year) prognostic impact of TRI in a total number of 456 patients with moderate-high and high risk PE...

Venous thromboembolism includes both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. They pose a significant risk for morbidity and mortality. In an appropriate clinical setting, invasive interventions, including administration of thrombolytics, anticoagulation, and placement of vena cava filter, are warranted. Bleeding, postthrombotic syndrome, recurrence, and filter-associated complications are few of the complications of this disease. More recently, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension has gained clinical interest in patients with pulmonary embolism and has warranted close follow-up...

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of thrombolytic treatment with reteplase in patients with intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism. Methods: Ten consecutive patients with intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism who received thrombolytic treatment with reteplase at Thrombosis and Vascular Medicine Center, Fuwai Hospital from March to November in 2016 were included.Vital signs, right ventricular diameter, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and biochemical markers were assessed before and after thrombolytic therapy with reteplase, and bleeding complications were also observed during 3 months follow up...

PURPOSE: Data concerning specific manifestations of pulmonary embolism (PE) among younger patients are scarce. We aimed to evaluate differences in clinical presentation, PE prediction rules, thrombolytic treatment use and PE outcomes in younger (<50 years of age) compared to older patients. MATERIAL/METHODS: We studied 238 consecutive patients with proven PE who were retrospectively categorized into three PE probability subgroups according to the revised Geneva score (RGS) and Wells score (WS)...

The objective was to compare immediate and long-term results of systemic thrombolytic therapy (STT) and catheter-directed fragmentation (CDF) with local thrombolytic therapy (LTT) in patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: 209 patients with massive PE (the high risk of early death) were included in our study. From 2008 till 2010 in the first group (n=102) STT was performed. From 2011 till 2013 in the second group (n=107) CDF with LTT was carried out. Echocardiography and pulmonary arteriography were performed in all patients on admission to hospital and in 5 days after treatment...

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion is commonly performed for refractory ascites or variceal bleeding. However, TIPS dysfunction can be seen in both early and late settings, with shunt thrombosis a particular problem. Treatment of shunt dysfunction commonly involves angioplasty and re-lining, with or without embolectomy, mechanical thrombectomy, or thrombolysis. Ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis has been shown to be successful for treatment of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and peripheral arterial thromboembolism, but has not been described before for TIPS occlusion...

Acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with high fatality, and catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy has been shown to be an efficacious treatment for this condition. We herein report a patient who developed acute massive PE but could not undergo the conventional catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy. A Swan-Ganz pulmonary artery catheter was placed at bedside to initiate immediate thrombolytic infusion, which resulted in dramatic clinical improvement. This report underscores a potential role of thrombolytic therapy via a transjugular pulmonary artery catheter in patients with acute massive PE who could not undergo the conventional catheter-based thrombolytic intervention...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Prior studies have evaluated the role of systemic fibrinolysis and catheter-directed therapy (CDT) in the management of PE. In this review, we examine current data on risk stratification and the appropriate allocation of systemic fibrinolysis and CDT in acute PE patients with elevated risk of adverse outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Classification of pulmonary embolism is based on risk of adverse events, and relies on clinical parameters, imaging findings, and biomarkers...

A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether thrombolysis in addition to therapeutic anticoagulation could be of benefit in submassive (intermediate risk) pulmonary embolism (PE). 64 directly relevant papers were found using the reported search strategy. Of these, three presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. It is concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of adjuvant thrombolytic therapy at any dose for patients with submassive PE...

The mechanism of ultrasound thrombolysis (UT) is generally attributed to cavitation. The insufficiency of microbubbles (MB) to serve as cavitation nuclei in the vessel-obstructing thrombi significantly reduces the effectiveness of UT. Taking advantage of the widely performed catheter-directed therapy (CDT), in a thrombo-embolized rabbit IVC model with a simultaneous catheter directed rt-PA thrombolysis procedure, guided moderate mechanical index longer pulses from a modified diagnostic ultrasound transducer, combined with an intraclot infusion of MB, significantly accelerated the thrombolysis process...

OBJECTIVE: Catheter-directed interventions (CDIs) are increasingly performed for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) as they are presumed to provide similar therapeutic benefits to systemic thrombolysis while decreasing the dose of thrombolytic required and the associated risks. This study aimed to identify factors associated with CDI failure and to describe anticipated complications. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent CDI for massive or submassive PE between 2009 and 2015 were identified; outcomes and complications were retrospectively collected...

Catheter-directed Ultrasound-Assisted Thrombolysis (USAT) is a novel technology providing a high efficacy with a reduced bleeding risk in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). We performed a meta-analysis based on presented or published PE series in which USAT was utilized. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for trials published up to December 2015. The primary outcomes were mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAMP), right to left ventricle diameter ratio (RV/LV ratio) and computed tomography (CT) obstruction score...

BACKGROUND: Despite quick implementation of reperfusion therapies, a few patients with high-risk, acute, massive, pulmonary embolism (PE) remain highly hemodynamically unstable. Others have absolute contraindication to receive reperfusion therapies. Venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) might lower their right ventricular overload, improve hemodynamic status, and restore tissue oxygenation. METHODS: ECMO-related complications and 90-day mortality were analyzed for 17 highly unstable, ECMO-treated, massive PE patients admitted to a tertiary-care center (2006-2015)...

BACKGROUND: Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) have been associated with improved survival in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in some studies. However, without randomization, those with early mortality who did not receive an IVCF might have died prior to treatment decision about filter placement, falsely contributing a survival advantage to those receiving IVCF and biasing the results of previous observational studies. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of IVCF on in-hospital mortality after adjusting for this survivor treatment selection...

BACKGROUND: The long-term effect of thrombolytic treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the long-term prognosis of patients with intermediate-risk PE and the effect of thrombolytic treatment on the persistence of symptoms or the development of late complications. METHODS: The PEITHO (Pulmonary Embolism Thrombolysis) trial was a randomized (1:1) comparison of thrombolysis with tenecteplase versus placebo in normotensive patients with acute PE, right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on imaging, and a positive cardiac troponin test result...

Pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis are the two most important manifestations of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is the third most common life-threatening cardiovascular disease in the United States. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of VTE treatment. Most patients with deep venous thrombosis or low-risk pulmonary embolism can be treated in the outpatient setting with low-molecular-weight heparin and a vitamin K antagonist (warfarin) or direct-acting oral anticoagulants. Inpatient treatment of VTE begins with parenteral agents, preferably low-molecular-weight heparin...

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is overlooked in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Risk factors for and long-term outcomes of this complication remain unknown. This study evaluated the predictors and prognosis of AKI in patients with PE.This retrospective cohort study used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. We enrolled a total of 7588 patients who were admitted to a hospital for PE from January1997 to December 2011 and administered anticoagulation or thrombolytic agents. All demographic data, risk factors, and outcomes were analyzed...

BACKGROUND: The association between mortality and localization of central thrombus in hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) is unclear. Sufficient data are not available to help clinicians to select between low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), unfractionated heparin (UFH) and thrombolytics for the management of central thrombus. The present study aims to investigate whether central thrombus in the pulmonary artery affects 30-day mortality rate, and to compare the outcomes of different treatment approaches in patients with central thrombus...